Album Review: Bob Dylan - Under the Red Sky (1990)

Bob Dylan's 1990 album Under the Red Sky is surprisingly better than what I had initially anticipated, and this is taking into consideration the purportedly haphazard and less successful decade Dylan had during the 1980s (as many might tell you, but I beg to differ, particularly in light of albums such as Infidels and Oh Mercy).  Looking at the track listing detractors of his 80s work would say he hadn't learned anything from that era, but listening to the album is something altogether different.  And yes the critics mostly bashed this album like there was no tomorrow.  But there's plenty of redeeming qualities about this album to be had too.  It doesn't come across as a collection of the cerebral, pondering lyrical cliches that Dylan is famous for and which everyone has come to expect from him, but that is an admirable attribute - it feels like an attempt at no frills, 1990s popular music, running against his own grain in the process.  And for me at least, it works.  "Wiggle Wiggle", childish by name, fun by auditory experience.  "2 x 2" might also be accused of sounding like a nursery rhyme, and it does somewhat.  But again it's fun, and it's different.  But in the end it's still Dylan.  It also reminds me of a certain Shania Twain song for some reason.  Don't ask me why.  "Handy Dandy", Under The Red Sky", "Unbelievable" are my other recommendations.  All in all, a much better album than what it looks like at face value.  A-